TSA ConfirmID: The $45 Alternative to REAL ID
The ConfirmID Policy
Starting February 1st, travelers going through TSA security checkpoints at U.S. airports for domestic flights without a REAL ID or other acceptable identification can pay a $45 fee to use an optional alternative identity verification system called TSA ConfirmID.
This replaces the current practice where travelers without proper ID can still potentially fly after additional screening at no charge.
Key Points
- What it covers:
- The $45 TSA ConfirmID payment is valid for 10 days from your Travel Start Date entered during the payment process.
- If you travel after the 10-day expiration date, you must pay the fee again.
- You pay online at Pay.gov.
- Who needs to pay:
- Any traveler 18 or older without an acceptable form of ID.
- Children under 18 do not need ID for domestic flights.
- Each traveler 18 or older without an acceptable ID must complete the TSA ConfirmID process separately.
- Important limitations:
- Paying the fee does not guarantee TSA can verify your identity – there is no guarantee you’ll be cleared to fly even after paying.
- The process can take up to 30 minutes and may result in missed flights.
- Payment:
- Travelers can pay in advance at TSA.gov or at the airport.
- However, to avoid any delays, we highly encourage you to pay online beforehand.
- Payment methods are Bank Account (ACH) debit/credit card, PayPal or Venmo.
- Each traveler 18 or older without an acceptable ID must complete the TSA ConfirmID process separately.
This Policy Does NOT Apply To:
- Arriving international passengers: you are already required to present a valid passport (which is an acceptable ID).
- U.S. citizens traveling internationally: you are already required to present a valid passport for international travel (which is an acceptable ID).
Acceptable Forms of ID
- State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card.
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport Card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- TSA also accepts the following digital IDs:
- Apple Digital ID
- Clear ID
- Google ID Pass
- For a complete list of all acceptable identification at TSA checkpoints, click here: Acceptable IDs
Process for TSA ConfirmID
- If you do not have a REAL ID, passport, or any other acceptable form of ID and you are traveling after January 31st, you need to verify your identify with TSA ConfirmID.
- First question: do you want to create an account to make this process easier in the future, or do you want to verify as a guest every tine you fly?
- Create an account:
- Go to the Pay.gov Sign In Page
- Click Sign In and create your account.
- Follow the instructions to create your account and fill out the TSA ConfirmID Program Fee form
- Make sure you enter the correct start date of your travel, then pay the fee.
- Verify as a guest:
- If you want to verify as a guest, you will have to go through this process every time you travel.
- Go to the Pay.gov Sign In Page
- Click “Continue” at the bottom right to get the TSA ConfirmID Program Fee form.
- Ensure you enter the correct start date of your travel and pay the fee.
Moral of the story: If you plan to fly a couple times a year, avoid the hassle and $45 fees and get a REAL ID or any of the other Acceptable IDs.
Buddy and I
- This is not an issue for Buddy and I
- As a retired Army officer, I have a DoD retiree ID (Acceptable ID).
- I have a Kentucky REAL ID drivers license (Acceptable ID).
- I have a Global Entry ID (Acceptable ID).
- I have a CLEAR ID (Acceptable ID).
- And I have a U.S. Passport (Acceptable ID).
- We also like saving $45 to travel as we are already taxed enough!
You have a month to prepare and the travel year is just starting ✈️🙂 Best wishes for 2026!
Buddy and Jordan